Maggie’s Journals

April 19, 2026

Becoming at Home Abroad

Hallo!

It’s been quite a while since my last update, and looking back, these past months have been some of the busiest and most memorable of my exchange so far. So much has happened that it almost feels strange trying to fit it all into one reflection, but it has truly been a time of growth, new experiences, and feeling more and more at home here in Germany.

One of the highlights was celebrating my birthday with my host family and friends. My host family made the day really special from the moment I woke up, and later I spent time with both my German friends and other exchange students, which made it feel like I had two worlds coming together. It was one of those moments where I realized how much of a life I’ve built here.

Winter brought a completely different atmosphere than anything I’m used to. The days were incredibly short, with the sun rising late and setting early, so it often felt like I was going to school in the dark and coming home in the dark. At first it was strange, but it quickly became part of daily life. At the same time, there were so many traditions that made the season feel special, like St. Nicholas Day, where small gifts are left in shoes overnight. I also got to experience a lot more snow than I expected, and everything felt quieter and almost magical when it was covered in it.

I spent a lot of time in Hamburg , and it became one of my favorite places to go. Whether I was there shopping, walking along the water, or just meeting friends, there was always something happening. I went to the winter DOM, which felt like a huge version of a fair back home, with bright lights, music, and rides everywhere. I also took several ferry rides across the harbor, which gave a completely different view of the city and made even a normal day feel special. One of the coolest experiences there was seeing concerts in the Elbphilharmonie . The building itself is incredible, and being inside for a performance made it even more memorable. Hamburg is a place I keep going back to, and every time I find something new to enjoy.

During this time, I also took part in several ROTEX weekends, which continue to be some of the best parts of exchange. One weekend we visited a sugar factory and got to see the entire process of how sugar is made, which was surprisingly interesting, and later we had a Christmas party together. Another weekend was spent in the Harz Mountains , where everything was covered in snow. We explored small towns, saw castles, and took a train through the mountains with views that looked unreal. It felt like being inside a postcard.

Over the months, I switched host families twice, and each transition brought something new. I adjusted to different routines, different personalities, and different ways of daily life, which helped me grow a lot. At the same time, I built strong friendships not only with exchange students but also with Germans, which made everyday life more meaningful. I also shared a bit of home by cooking American dishes like mac and cheese and sweet potato casserole, which was fun and something my host families really enjoyed.

There were also so many smaller experiences that made this time special. I went to a hockey game, celebrated New Year’s Eve with close German friends, and dressed up for a Rotary Faschings party. I went on long walks, spent time outside whenever possible, and even got to see the northern lights, which is something I never expected to experience here. Slowly, winter turned into spring, and everything changed again. The days got longer, the weather warmed up, and suddenly everyone was outside. Picnics, meeting friends, and just sitting in the sun became part of everyday life.

Another major highlight was traveling to the south of Germany with my host family, where I went skiing in the Alps and visited Neuschwanstein Castle . The mountains were completely different from anything I had seen before, and the views were incredible. It was an experience that felt very different from my normal routine and something I’ll always remember.

One of the biggest and most unforgettable parts of these past months was Eurotour. We traveled through several countries, including Belgium , France , Italy , Austria , Czechia , and Hungary , and each stop felt completely different from the last. In Belgium, I tried the classic fries and waffles and spent time walking through small streets filled with shops and cafés. In Paris , I saw the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night and visited Palace of Versailles , which was even bigger and more detailed than I imagined. We spent time along the coast in Nice , enjoying the sea and the relaxed atmosphere, and then traveled to Grenoble , which is surrounded by mountains and had some of the most impressive views of the trip.

In Livorno , we walked along the water and explored the harbor, and in Pisa , I finally saw the leaning tower in person. Florence was one of my favorite stops because of its atmosphere, the architecture, and just the feeling of the city itself. Rome was full of history, with something to see on every street, from ruins to churches to busy piazzas. In Vienna , everything felt elegant and historic, while Prague had a completely different charm with its old streets and buildings. My favorite stop was Budapest , where the architecture stood out the most to me, especially at night when everything was lit up along the river.

Beyond the places themselves, Eurotour was about the experience of traveling together. Spending so much time with the other exchange students meant constantly talking, laughing, and sharing moments that made the trip unforgettable. Whether it was long bus rides, late nights, or just walking through cities together, it brought all of us closer.

Looking back on these past months, I can honestly say they’ve been some of the most meaningful of my exchange so far. I’ve built strong friendships with both exchange students and Germans, gotten to know my host families better, and experienced so many new places and traditions. Life here feels natural now, and in many ways, I really do feel like I’m just living as a German.